Meet Joe Fugere

August 6, 2012

Joe Fugere opened his first Tutta Bella pizzeria in 2004 with eight employees and a plan to run a business with a purpose. Since then he has grown his business, contributed to the community, and become a proud supporter of President Obama.

Joe knows first-hand how President Obama’s policies have helped small business owners. In 2010, he watched President Obama sign the Small Business Jobs Act in person at the White House, and was later able to open a new pizzeria thanks to community bank lending programs in the new law.

That same year, Joe was invited to a small business roundtable with the President to share how the Act impacted his business.

“He didn’t just ask the first question," Joe said, "he asked the second question. Deep leaders with genuine care ask those questions.”

Joe has gotten involved in the President’s campaign in a variety of ways, including introducing Vice President Biden during his trip to Seattle and volunteering at the local office. For Joe, this kind of community involvement is a way of life. Even before Tutta Bella became as successful as it is today, he was committed to running a business with a social conscience.

Supporting President Obama was a no-brainer for Joe.

“He’s trying to improve the lives of all citizens. He doesn’t pick and choose,” he says. “Small businesses benefit from good policies overall. People with health care are going to be better employees, people with income from jobs and social services can go out to dinner. Strong communities make for strong businesses.”

President Obama has done enormous good for our country, but that there is still plenty more to do.

“That’s why we need another four years," Joe said. “He’s just getting started.”